Press Release
Press Release from State Pollution Control Board-Sikkim
Information & Public Relations Department
SPCB-Sikkim Conducts Sensitisation Programme for officials and staff of Urban Local Bodies regarding the ban on Single-Use Plastics and Annual Online Reporting.
On 19th March 2026, the State Pollution Control Board-Sikkim organised a Public Awareness and Sensitization Programme on the ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, including subsequent amendments at Mangan Nagar Panchayat Community Hall. The programme was attended by a total of 75 participants, including the staff of Mangan Nagar Panchayat and SPCB-Sikkim.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Nordan G. Tamang. The inaugural session was also attended by Mr. Karzong Bhutia, MEO; Mr. Ugen Palzor Bhutia, Vice President; Ms. Hangu Lechanpa, Councillor; Ms. Tshering Doma Bhutia, Councillor; Mr. Dup Tshering Bhutia, Bazaar Inspector; and Mr. Thinlay Namgyal Lepcha, Inspector.
Mr. Pravash Chettri, JE, SPCB-Sikkim, briefed the participants on the constitutional provisions under Article 48A and Article 51A(g) relating to environmental protection, as well as the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and subsequent amendments.
This was followed by a detailed presentation by Mr. Reshap Sharma, FA, SPCB-Sikkim, regarding the notification that prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified SUP items with effect from 1st July 2022. He elaborated on the EPR framework, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) who are responsible for ensuring the collection, recycling, processing and environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste generated from their products. He further highlighted that the EPR framework aims to strengthen accountability, support scientific plastic waste management, and reduce the burden on Urban Local Bodies.
In the interactive session, Mr. Pravash Chettri opened the floor for discussion and samples (chocolates) were distributed to participants who were able to correctly identify the banned SUP items. The functioning of the online portals developed by CPCB were explained to the staff of Mangan Nagar Panchayat and the demonstration covered the Plastic Waste Management online portal, SUP inspection-related online modules, and the public grievance mobile application for reporting the illegal sale and use of banned SUP items in both rural and urban areas.
The ULBs are required to prepare an annual report based on the data generated through plastic waste assessment/characterisation and submit the same through the online portal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment towards environmental protection and to achieve a SUP-Free Sikkim.
On 19th March 2026, the State Pollution Control Board-Sikkim organised a Public Awareness and Sensitization Programme on the ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, including subsequent amendments at Mangan Nagar Panchayat Community Hall. The programme was attended by a total of 75 participants, including the staff of Mangan Nagar Panchayat and SPCB-Sikkim.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Nordan G. Tamang. The inaugural session was also attended by Mr. Karzong Bhutia, MEO; Mr. Ugen Palzor Bhutia, Vice President; Ms. Hangu Lechanpa, Councillor; Ms. Tshering Doma Bhutia, Councillor; Mr. Dup Tshering Bhutia, Bazaar Inspector; and Mr. Thinlay Namgyal Lepcha, Inspector.
Mr. Pravash Chettri, JE, SPCB-Sikkim, briefed the participants on the constitutional provisions under Article 48A and Article 51A(g) relating to environmental protection, as well as the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and subsequent amendments.
This was followed by a detailed presentation by Mr. Reshap Sharma, FA, SPCB-Sikkim, regarding the notification that prohibits the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified SUP items with effect from 1st July 2022. He elaborated on the EPR framework, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) who are responsible for ensuring the collection, recycling, processing and environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste generated from their products. He further highlighted that the EPR framework aims to strengthen accountability, support scientific plastic waste management, and reduce the burden on Urban Local Bodies.
In the interactive session, Mr. Pravash Chettri opened the floor for discussion and samples (chocolates) were distributed to participants who were able to correctly identify the banned SUP items. The functioning of the online portals developed by CPCB were explained to the staff of Mangan Nagar Panchayat and the demonstration covered the Plastic Waste Management online portal, SUP inspection-related online modules, and the public grievance mobile application for reporting the illegal sale and use of banned SUP items in both rural and urban areas.
The ULBs are required to prepare an annual report based on the data generated through plastic waste assessment/characterisation and submit the same through the online portal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment towards environmental protection and to achieve a SUP-Free Sikkim.
